Pymore

Jeays never lived at the property and eventually subdivided the land into smaller portions. Francis Smith purchased an allotment in 1874. Smith in turn transferred the land to Henry Smith in 1876. Henry Smith and a Francis Smith are listed in the Post Office Directories (PODs) for 1876 and 1878 respectively as bricklayers. The land was then subsequently purchased by John Govers in 1877.

Although some evidence indicates that Jeays constructed this house it cannot be verified. Factors such as a number of owners in quick succession, in conjunction with the size of the house, and the number of mortgages taken out during the 1877-1887 suggest that Govers constructed the house. The entry in the Post Office Directory for 1887 clearly shows that a John Govers was living in Mallon Street. Govers’ occupation in the POD was listed as a wool broker.

In 1888 the property was transferred to John Dunham, produce merchant. Dunham subdivided the land in 1890 and retained the portion with the house, now 30.5 perches in size. The house remained in the Dunham family until it was transferred to trustees representing the Australasian Trained Nurses’ Association (Queensland Branch) Nurses’ Rest Home. The home was purchased for £1,250/0/0.

The Association was created in 1899 to promote the profession of nursing and to provide standards of registration. The idea for a rest home was first suggested in 1914 but the First World War delayed matters. The home was created to assist nurses who were unable to follow the nursing profession “from age or other related causes”. The benefits offered were “a furnished room, fuel and light, free of charge”. In addition, rooms, when available, were offered to nurses who were unable to procure accommodation elsewhere. This also helped supplement the income of the institution.

Adapting an older home from private use to a caring institution required continual maintenance, upgrading of facilities, additions and fund raising. Additions to the house were made in 1930 and in 1935 with the construction of a wing. Richard Gailey (Jnr) was the architect in both instances. The 1938 Annual report discloses the available accommodation to nurses as being, 18 residents, with two nurses being granted temporary accommodation and “one room free”.

An air raid shelter was constructed in 1943 with the Public Works Department providing half the cost at £50/12/6. The shelter was constructed under the supervision of Richard Gailey. During the 1950s further additions were made to the hostel. Brisbane City Council records indicate that an application for further additions were made in 1951 and 1954. The latter application was for an alteration to the verandah.

The Annual report of 1941 announced that the bathrooms at the home were renovated “from the proceeds of Bridge Parties organised the previous year by Mrs L. Selwood”. Fund raising played an important role in the maintenance of the facility. It also drew the association into Brisbane society with the holding of fundraising events. These included the above bridge parties, and dances called “The White Angel Ball” which involved the Lady Mayoress, Mrs A.J. Jones.

The association sold the property in 1992 to the current owners. The property is presently used as a guest house/private hotel.

1. BCC building cards

2. Brisbane City Council Water Supply & Sewerage Detail Plans

3. Brisbane City Council Building Registers

4. John Oxley Library, newspaper clippings files

5. Queensland Post Office Directories

6. Queensland Women’s Historical Association. A Look Back in Time: A History of Bowen Hills - Newstead and ‘The Creek’. Breakfast Creek: QWHA, 1996.

7. Strachan, Glenda. The History of the Australasian Trained Nurses’ Association

8. Donald Watson and Judith McKay, Queensland Architects of the Nineteenth Century, South Brisbane: Queensland Museum, 1994